Blackfriars team gears up for 2025 Walk for Love

After raising close to $9000 in two years, you could forgive Nathan Bishop for thinking the job was done.

But the Year 11 student is determined to make this year’s Walk for Love, raising money for the palliative care work of The Mary Potter Foundation, the best one yet.

Nathan’s name has become synonymous with the annual Walk for Love, organising the Blackfriars student/staff team for the past two years.

So great is his contribution, The Mary Potter Foundation last year named him an official ambassador for the event – a role he continues in this year.

Hashir Sarwary, Harry Kerr and Nathan Bishop will take part in the 2025 Walk for Love.

“The first year I coordinated the Blackfriars team, we only had 11 people and I think we raised a little over $2000, which shocked me,” Nathan said.

“And then we came back a year later, and all of a sudden … we ended up having like 34 participants in the team and we raised over $6500.

“I think we have about 19 or 20 Blackfriars students and one teacher already signed up for this year, which is great.”

Under the banner Pals for Palliative Care, the community group Nathan established last year, the 2025 Walk for Love crew has already raised more than $1000.

Nathan is also working hard to spread his palliative care message to the next generation of Blackfriars student leaders.

You've got a friend in me: Student launches new Mary Potter support group

Inspired by a desire to assist people receiving end-of-life care, student Nathan Bishop has launched Pals for Palliative Care, a new community group dedicated to supporting the work of The Mary Potter Foundation.

“They’re the guys who are coming up into leadership going forward – the boys in Years 7, 8, 9 now,” he said.

“So, if we can get them involved in stuff like this now, it’s going to set them up for success and give them a taste of what Blackfriars leadership’s about, especially with that community aspect, our close relationship with Mary Potter.

“I’ve had boys come up to me and ask me, ‘oh, I heard you do this community group thing. How can I get involved?’.

“It’s made me proud to be able to get young guys like that involved.”

Blackfriars is a strong supporter of The Mary Potter Foundation.

One of those younger boys is Year 8 student Harry Kerr, who is taking part in the Walk for Love for the first time in 2025.

“I want to support charity and the people in end-of-life care at Mary Potter,” Harry said.

Prefect Hashir Sarwary was another first-time participant: “I think it’s a great way to support Mary Potter and the good work they do.”

Nathan encouraged more people, from Blackfriars and beyond, to sign up for the 2025 Walk for Love which has already garnered almost $65,000 for the palliative care work of the Mary Potter Hospice.

Meanwhile, Nathan will also be part of Blackfriars Greatest Shave on Wednesday, 25 June, also raising money for The Mary Potter Foundation.

The 2025 Walk for Love takes place on Sunday, 25 May, starting and finishing at the Walk for Love Village at Carclew, 11 Jeffcott St, North Adelaide. Anyone wanting to be part of the Blackfriars team should contact Nathan. Donations can be made to the Pals for Palliative Care team here.